Politics & Government

Former State Sen. Dan Debicella, of Shelton, to Challenge Himes in 2014 Bid for Congress

Debicella, of Shelton, ran against current Congressman Jim Himes in 2010.

Posted by Caitlin Mazzola

Former State Sen. Dan Debicella (R-21) announced Thursday that he is running  for Congress in 2014 in Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District. 

Debicella was the 2010 Republican nominee for Congress, which Jim Himes won by 53 to 47 percent – making it the closest federal race in Connecticut. The highly competitive race made CNN’s Top 100 Most Competitive Races list, Politico’s Daily 10 (a tracker of the closest House Races), and Real Clear Politics’ list of “toss up” races. 

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“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result,” Debicella said. “We cannot expect different results in Washington if we continue to send the same people there to represent us."  

In his statement, Debicella outlined the ways he feels current 4th District Congressman Jim Himes "has failed" – by promoting "bad economic policies that have made Connecticut the worst state in the nation for job growth, exploded our national debt by trillions of dollars, and increased health care costs for middle class families."

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Debicella argued that Himes "has chosen to be part of the corrupt Washington culture — adopting the very practices he once railed against. He writes legislation with lobbyists in exchange for millions in campaign contributions, and spends his time raising money with special interests rather than solving our nation’s problems.  Instead of trying to find bipartisan solutions, Himes talks a lot about working together and then votes lock-step with his political party. Jim Himes has become part of the problem.”

Debicella cited the “Himes amendment” as an example of how he believes  Himes has become part of the corrupt Washington culture. The New York Times recently reported how Citigroup, Himes’ largest campaign contributor in 2012, drafted a bill for him to co-sponsor that would strip one of the largest provisions of the Dodd-Frank financial regulation on banks. Himes has taken $2 million dollars from Wall Street since his first election for Congress in 2008.   

“Watch what Himes does, not what he says,” Debicella said. “While railing against special interests and partisan gridlock at home, Jim Himes is engaged in both on a daily basis in Washington.”

Debicella promised his campaign will focus on solutions.  

“Over the next fourteen months, I will be laying out plans to create jobs, reduce our deficit through lowering spending, and improving the quality of life of families in Fairfield County. Whether in my business, State Senate, or community involvement, I have been a problem-solver — and I want to bring that attitude to Congress rather than the current partisan gridlock.”

Debicella ended his statement with this sentiment: 

"If people believe Washington is getting it right, they should vote for Jim Himes. If they believe there is a better way — one where we are Americans first and Republicans and Democrats second — they should send me to Washington.”


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